The government on Tuesday confirmed that Israel has proposed to build a port for Gaza in Cyprus, but that Nicosia has yet to respond.

According to Israeli media, Defence Minister Avigdor Liberman advanced a plan to build a port for Gaza in Cyprus when he was on the island to attend the recent trilateral defence summit.

The idea of setting up a facility in Cyprus has been floated for years, and Israel recently made a request to explore the issue, according to Cypriot government spokesman Prodromos Prodromou.

“It is an old issue which is now being re-discussed,” Prodromou told Reuters.

“There will be contacts between the government and all interested parties in the region and, possibly, a decision will be taken. At the moment no decision has been taken. The request is being examined, it hasn’t been rejected,” he said.

The Israeli embassy in Nicosia said on Tuesday it had no comment to make on the report.

The report was published in the Jerusalem Post, citing a TV report.

“Liberman’s Cyprus port plan would include construction of a special pier for cargo ships carrying goods destined for Gaza. They would be checked with the help of an Israeli monitoring mechanism to ensure that no weapons were being smuggled into the Hamas-controlled area,” the Jerusalem Post said.

After that, it added, they would likely be sent to Gaza directly by ferry, given that the enclave lacks a port large enough for the docking of cargo ships.

Citing Channel 2, the newspaper said the principles of the plan were agreed between Liberman and Cypriot Defence Minister Savvas Angelides during the summit on Friday. Within two weeks, work would begin on a detailed plan that would be presented within three months.

“But any such move would be conditioned on Hamas’ agreement to return the remains of two Israeli soldiers and to release the three Israeli civilians believed to be held captive in Gaza,” the Post said.

It then cited former Intelligence Ministry director-general and former Mossad deputy director Ram Ben-Barak tweeting that the plan would help Gaza residents without harming Israel’s security.

Liberman’s office neither confirmed nor denied the report, it added.

“It did say that Liberman and the defence establishment were working with the international community on plans to change Gaza’s reality”.

“We cannot release any details beyond that,” his office said.

Goods shipped by sea usually come to an Israeli port and are transferred to Gaza over land. Israel enforces a maritime blockade on Gaza, which it says is meant to prevent weapons from reaching the territory ruled by the Islamist militant group Hamas.

Israel controls two land crossings into Gaza and Egypt controls a third. But it is reported that the Egyptian crossing at Rafah is often closed and is not designed for the passage of goods and that most commercial and humanitarian goods bound for Gaza enter through Israel’s Kerem Shalom crossing.
The Cypriot defence ministry has not commented as yet.

In 2012 Gisha, an Israeli human-rights group forced the Israeli government through the courts to release an official document detailing the number of calories Palestinians would need to avoid malnutrition under its blockade of the Gaza Strip.

The study, Food Consumption in the Gaza Strip – The Red Lines, said that “in order to maintain the basic fabric of life” in the area, Israel would allow in 106 trucks with food and other essential goods every day.
Gisha said that, by comparison, some 400 trucks were delivering goods to Gaza before Israel tightened its blockade of the strip in 2007 after the Hamas Islamist movement seized power there.

To circumvent the blockade, Palestinians brought in tonnes of goods through smuggling tunnels dug under Gaza’s border with Egypt.

Wikileaks has published diplomatic cables that showed Israel told US officials in 2008 it would keep Gaza’s economy “on the brink of collapse” while avoiding a humanitarian crisis.

119 Comments

Guest

Philippos

June 27, 2018 at 09:56

VILE is an anagram of EVIL, too! ( as well as LEVI – and I don’t mean jeans) Is that a coincidence or a warning?

Philippos

June 26, 2018 at 18:38

The Jews never do anything without serious ulterior motives, so we need to look at the real reason for this request. There is no question that what is proposed will have a huge advantage for Israel, but in turn, a huge disadvantage for us. This needs very careful study and the land ownership and the ultimate control need to remain with the Sovereign State. It does smell of an embryonic military facility from which to attack Gaza so they have something else to shoot back at without the easy facility of Demonstrations and Protests in another sovereign state, but its not impossible is it?

Evergreen

June 26, 2018 at 20:08

I agree

Kyrenia

June 26, 2018 at 21:58

Farrrrrrrr fetched. Military facility????

Philippos

June 27, 2018 at 09:54

Then it will surprise you to know that there are already at least two Israeli funded “Commercial” developments in North Cyprus, one on the north and one on the east coast that look capable of being turned into a naval and an army base over a week end. Given that the Israelis are our new best friends, why not the Republic where you can be sure that those concerned only see the money and couldn’t give a stuff about anything else. Useful alternative if things get sticky with Erdogan again as they have been in the past

thraex

June 26, 2018 at 15:50

a reminder here that Israel is keeping Gaza on a barely subsistence level, controlling even their weekly caloric intake, for which Israel has done calculations. talk about perverse total control over people’s lives, Nazi-style.
about the plans for a port in Cyprus: Israel must have an angle here, it’s certainly not on humanitarian grounds. i’m guessing the Israelis are also planning something else for Gaza – which of course is not being talked about – in tandem with the Cyprus port. would not be surprised if Israel plans to totally shut down the Gaza strip so that supplies arrive only by sea – hence the port idea. either way, can’t be good. according to the UN, situation in Gaza is already unliveable, thanks to Israel. way to go

Cydee

June 26, 2018 at 16:10

You are right.No way must Cyprus get itself involved to the extent of taking the side of Israel. They have short memories don’t they…

Evergreen

June 26, 2018 at 20:09

Yes.

Really?

June 26, 2018 at 17:50

Rubbish and lies.

Alassia

June 26, 2018 at 15:34

Israel wants to secure territory in Cyprus now? This is arrogance beyond belief.

AND ‘goods … would be checked with the help of an Israeli monitoring mechanism’. Does that mean they want to establish their own security forces here as well?

ShlomZion

June 26, 2018 at 15:43

Actually, the State of Israel wants no such thing. The State of Israel is strictly interested in the demilitarization of Gaza and the economic and social success of the territory, called prosperity. However, the Islamist warlords of HAMAS, contrary to signed agreements and international law, continue to advance conflict and strife, death and destruction. Israel is merely interested in enabling the civilian population of the territory to benefit from a port in Cyprus. I personally do not like the idea, but I don’t blame Israel for seeking to improve the life of the Gazans.

Alassia

June 26, 2018 at 17:14

Please….The only ‘prosperity’ the State of Israel is interested in is its own. To think that Israel is seeking to improve the life of the people of Gaza is an unfounded view. Their motives here are certainly not altruistic.

Really?

June 26, 2018 at 17:51

No they are not. Israel has an interest in Gaza not being a complete hellhole which should be obvious.

ShlomZion

June 26, 2018 at 18:13

Prosperity of the other translates to lesser amount of terrorism, hence the desire to ensure prosperity in Gaza. In fact, the State of Israel has invested a lot to advance such prosperity.

Evergreen

June 26, 2018 at 20:09

seems so.

Andrew Michael

June 26, 2018 at 15:22

No response yet from Cyprus. We could all be talking about a storm in a teacup for no reason! This may not see any daylight.
Even if it did , you must be talking 10s of years away!

ShlomZion

I don’t like the idea for a variety of reasons. However, Cyprus will only benefit from the use of its ports facilities, both in terms of funds paid as well as employment of Cypriots.

Paul Smith

June 26, 2018 at 15:13

And loose countless tourists that will associate Cyprus with the Israel – Palestine conflict and choose somewhere else to holiday. Would you blame them? No, neither would I.

David Richani

June 26, 2018 at 15:28

If toursists are a loss in order to maintain sovereignty… then let it be.. no Country in the world will accept to have a port of entry into its territory controlled by another country. Besides why don’t they build the port in their own country if they are so worried about relieving Gaza’s Isolation?

Brazen

June 30, 2018 at 12:03

Methinks you and Paul Smith are singing from the same sheet but you have misread his post.

ShlomZion

June 26, 2018 at 15:33

A cargo port is hardly a tourist attraction.

Paul Smith

June 26, 2018 at 20:43

The island is a tourist attraction, – nothing is off limits. wake up.

gentlegiant161

June 26, 2018 at 16:20

‘The Israelis want to build a port’
I think idea that Cypriots getting jobs is a myth.
The port supposedly will handle goods for The Citizens of Gaza so it will be operated by Israelis using specialised equipment, because they are looking for illegal weapons etc, it will be a bonded warehouse operation closed to outsiders for safety and security reasons and will have vetted employees from Israel, and will have its own security personnel. A totally closed area that has the red herring of employment tagged on in a comment from someone with no connection to the government ?
I wouldn’t touch this with a bargepole,
and as probable as the Disney land that was going to be built nr Peyia.

ShlomZion

June 26, 2018 at 16:38

The idea is that the goods will be inspected by the Israelis. The operation, I assume, will be local.

Alassia

June 26, 2018 at 17:29

Yes and if the only argument presented in favour of this preposterous proposal being based in Cyprus is the creation of jobs, then perhaps, we have nothing to be concerned about?

Gold51

June 26, 2018 at 18:13

Cyprus should remain neural and a good neighbour to all.
Can’t afford more enemies in the region.
Cyprus is hub for security and resue only.
There is Cypriot, Greek, Turkish,TC, British and Nato troops all over the Island already. Enough.!!
Israels and Palestinian problems cannot be entertained by Cyprus or in Cyprus.
Non of these countries have or would come to the aid of Cyprus in the past.

Really?

June 26, 2018 at 14:17

This is of course a completely ludicrous idea. Any and all things that can legitimately enter Gaza are already doing so, mainly via the Israeli port of Ashdod and then by truck to Gaza. How would moving that operation to Cyprus make a bit of difference? It wouldn’t. It is merely a PR exercise to demonstrate that goods are entering Gaza without entering Israel first (but still subject to the same restrictions).

Abram

June 26, 2018 at 12:59

No body can ride you unless you bend.

It is time for Kyprolla to get serious, time to work hard to earn respect and please learn from Singapore or Taiwan a thing or two. I would recommend starting with Komparos’ transparency business

reiss dwell

June 26, 2018 at 12:49

This politicians can really be strange thinkers, Cyprus is facing it’s own struggles and isn’t even close to being a united country and they want to add Gaza to the struggle? This guys need to take a break from their legal opioid infused medication.

#'~A*QXm(>NRmm]w?dU4v!=^

June 26, 2018 at 14:42

Take a break? He and the rest of the filthy ZioNazi mafia gang need to be locked up and the keys thrown away.

Muffin the Mule

June 26, 2018 at 12:34

What an utterly ridiculous idea. If Cyprus agrees, it helps cement Gaza as a prison.

cyprustalk

June 26, 2018 at 13:33

Have you checked to see if Palestinian Authority has refused this???????

Art Cyprus

June 26, 2018 at 15:41

Have you?

cyprustalk

June 26, 2018 at 15:44

I never made the asumption ask Muffin to go and do his checking

ShlomZion

June 26, 2018 at 15:04

If you feel that Gaza is a prison, demand of Egypt, a fellow Arab country, to open its border pass 24/7 and permit all Gazans to travel through it.

E.K.

June 26, 2018 at 12:10

Now this is a good one 🙂

Paul Smith

June 26, 2018 at 12:00

May I suggest locating this port in Pafos, which resembles a war zone and would be fully appreciated by the Palestinians using it. Like a “home from home”

Neroli

June 26, 2018 at 12:04

Wooo spiteful!!

Paul Smith

June 26, 2018 at 12:06

I’m just trying to be helpful. The other option would be Agia Napa, but I think the Palestinians would be terrified of the gangsta-rap tourists with knives, daggers and suicide-buggies.

Neroli

June 26, 2018 at 12:15

Maybe it’s more dangerous in Paphos ! limassol much better, it may put off those pesky Russians buying passports and upping the rents in Limassol!

Paul Smith

June 26, 2018 at 12:17

Sadly I don’t go to Limaasol, as my command of Russian is very poor and I don’t understand what anyone is saying.

Neroli

June 26, 2018 at 12:18

Good idea!

Cydee

June 26, 2018 at 16:18

Just banter.

Neroli

June 26, 2018 at 16:33

I know!

ShlomZion

June 26, 2018 at 12:23

The only wars initiated in the Middle East have been those initiated by the Muslim-Arabs, local and regional alike.

Muffin the Mule

June 26, 2018 at 12:37

What history books do you read?

ShlomZion

June 26, 2018 at 13:45

Which was not initiated by the Muslim-Arabs?

#'~A*QXm(>NRmm]w?dU4v!=^

June 26, 2018 at 14:45

Your putrefying ZioNazi swamp was not there to deface the earth 100 years ago.

Paul Smith

June 26, 2018 at 16:30

Irugn terrorism against the British?

ShlomZion

June 26, 2018 at 16:34

“Irgun”, organization in Hebrew, was an underground fighting to free the country of the British. Which war was the Irgun initiated?

Paul Smith

June 26, 2018 at 16:42

They were terrorists, killing innocent civilians.

ShlomZion

June 26, 2018 at 17:05

The Irgun’s activities were directed at the British military occupation force of the Land of Israel.

Paul Smith

June 26, 2018 at 17:16

You need a history lesson.

ShlomZion

June 26, 2018 at 18:10

It appears that you rely on “narratives”, i.e. fictional stories, rather than well researched historical works.

ShlomZion

June 26, 2018 at 18:14

It appears that you rely on “narratives”, i.e. fictional stories, rather than well researched historical works.

Brazen

June 30, 2018 at 12:07

There was no Israel this came later.

gentlegiant161

June 26, 2018 at 16:46

I think you need to read the early thoughts and writings of Ben Gurion a long time before 1948..you won’t need reminding but for the record more than half the population of Gaza are formed by those already made refugees by the policy of Israel expansion.
The idea there is now concern about their well being when you bombed the only power station and charge the inhabitants for expensive electricity is not supported.
I wonder, does the hangman’s rope that the two captured British soldiers were killed with still on display in the Museum?

ShlomZion

June 26, 2018 at 17:03

I have read the late Ben-Gurion’s writings, all of them, in the original Hebrew. As for wars, all of them were initiated by the Muslim-Arabs: be the wars full-scale wars, war-of-attrition-through-terror, economic and diplomatic wars. And this is only against the Jews. The region has suffered from additional wars, again, all were initiated by the Muslim-Arabs, all!!

Veritas

June 26, 2018 at 16:01

I suggest you keep your ignorant comments to yourself

Paul Smith

June 26, 2018 at 16:22

You can suggest anything you want, princess. But as usual , people don’t take any notice of you.

Jeremy Rigg

June 26, 2018 at 11:56

Perhaps this is the reason the Israelis were playing silly buggers over the percentage of oil field Cyprus and Israel are entitled to. We will see in due course, whether this will become a bargaining point.

jobanana

June 26, 2018 at 11:44

So we will now be a terrorist target hub??? What a farce!!

Neroli

June 26, 2018 at 12:05

It’s defo not an investment hub!

David Richani

June 26, 2018 at 11:36

Another Country is building a port in our country to “relieve the isolation” of a land ” Gaza ” which they illegally besiege..??????? what a Farce or is this part of the “colonization of Cyprus??????????

Muffin the Mule

June 26, 2018 at 12:38

Exactly

The True Cypriot

June 26, 2018 at 13:54

The GCs will do ANYTHING to draw Israel into the Cyprus dispute, believing that any such involvement will confront Turkey.

They could not care a jot about Gaza.

cyprustalk

June 26, 2018 at 14:07

Yet another stupid assumption with no proof,

cypbychoice

June 26, 2018 at 14:22

TWAT

The True Cypriot

June 26, 2018 at 14:23

Why?

Explain your insult – I always do!

cyprustalk

June 26, 2018 at 14:28

Because its a stupid assumption on your part

cypbychoice

June 26, 2018 at 14:53

Because we have enough shit going on here with out adding to it, we can not fix our own problems without taking on others.
Sorry for the expletive but it caught me thinking of other things and typed before thinking

The True Cypriot

June 26, 2018 at 15:07

By “we” who do you mean?

I presume you are a GC, because we TCs look at this and are thinking “how dumb can the GCs get?”

Why would any sane leader want to have the Israeli/Arab dispute here in Cyprus.

As I said, the GCs are doing this ti draw Israel into the Cyprus dispute.

Do you think the GCs care about Gaza??

cyprustalk

June 26, 2018 at 16:37

Oh you have the cheek to now ask others who is ” we” you always seem to be the biggest mouth piece in the eastern Med , always proclaiming to others in your statements as ” we” when the truth of the matter you represent no one LOL

cypbychoice

June 27, 2018 at 10:33

I mean all rightful Cypriots G/G S and T/Cs have enough on their respective plates

The True Cypriot

June 28, 2018 at 00:15

What has this GC stupidity got to do with us TCs?

Your response makes no sense – this is NOTHING to do with TCs.

#'~A*QXm(>NRmm]w?dU4v!=^

June 26, 2018 at 14:48

Yeah, it is hard to face the facts, many nincompoops on this forum have that problem, you are not alone.

The Judge

June 27, 2018 at 01:56

never mind arab.

The Judge

June 26, 2018 at 15:11

israel is already in many cypriot projects.oil and gas and anyone with half a brain,you are not there yet,you only have a third,would know that israel will never let cyprus fall to turkey because then it means that it would be surrounded by all muslim countries.cyprus and to the extent greece,are areas which are open to it.

The True Cypriot

June 26, 2018 at 15:23

1) Cyprus is not Greek – we TCs co own 100% of the whole island
2) You are welcomed to get involved with Gaza – good luck
3) Turkey, despite mad dog Erdog, also works with Israel

You Greeks have an over-inflated view of your own importance.

You are a 2 bob republic that is part of an island you have have owned, never will own and which is in dispute.

This little soiree with Israel will only draw you into a dispute that everyone else is staying away from.

Now even a mosquito brain like you should get that, deliberately written in plain English to enable comprehension.

cyprustalk

June 26, 2018 at 15:41

Falls over laughing, again you use the word “we” how you manage to make these things up as you go along all I can say you should ask Erdogan to become his fictous speech writer LOL

Bunny

June 26, 2018 at 11:25

For God’s sake, keep the Israeli/Palestinian disputes away from Cyprus.

Kyrenia

June 26, 2018 at 11:13

Cyprus is uniquely placed geographically and politically to host this “port” which allows us to maintain good relations with the protagonists in the Middle East.

Paul Smith

June 26, 2018 at 11:15

Yes, they will be happy to uniquely place bombs and bullets here too should this muttonhead plan go bottom-up.

Evergreen

June 26, 2018 at 11:16

Yes

Kyrenia

June 26, 2018 at 11:19

It may have escaped your notice that we already are up to our necks with bombs and bullets. RE: 40000 Turkish troops!

Paul Smith

June 26, 2018 at 11:20

So, errrm, the logic is to exacerbate that by getting mixed up in the Arab – Israel conflict? Not for me thanks, I love Cyprus, I would hate to see another conflict imported onto the island.

Kyrenia

June 26, 2018 at 11:22

When your neighbour’s house is burning……..

Paul Smith

June 26, 2018 at 11:24

But it’s not is it? That’s the point. They are just looking at shunting very tricky issues to our shores, then what happens if things do go tits up? Remember the Gaza aid ships from Larnaca and all the hostility back then? That seriously wounded relations with both Israel and Palestine. But, hey-ho, humans never learn.

Cydee

June 26, 2018 at 16:23

Correction…’some’ humans never learn.

gentlegiant161

June 26, 2018 at 12:21

This one only looks after its own house, yours will be in ashes..

Neroli

June 26, 2018 at 12:11

The bombs seem to be this side – South – under people’s cars, blowing up businesses

cyprustalk

June 26, 2018 at 13:08

Whiles in the North, people can commit murder at getaway with it with the authorities not caring, is that a fair comprimise??

Neroli

June 26, 2018 at 13:28

I don’t live in the North and have no idea what goes on but I know what goes on here and these people don’t get caught. When you have members of the police cozying up to people like Kalipsidiotis what does one expect

cyprustalk

June 26, 2018 at 13:35

Oh so you on CM, neary everyday and its been well mentioned on CM and say you know nothing about the George Low murders or the GC man that was murdered coming out of a casino???????

Neroli

June 26, 2018 at 15:27

Of course I do, I was one of the first to respond to both murders. You’re not right!

cyprustalk

June 26, 2018 at 15:43

What are you telling me , they never got away with murder or what?????????

#'~A*QXm(>NRmm]w?dU4v!=^

June 26, 2018 at 14:50

Since 1974 not a single bullet has been fired, nor a single bomb exploded. So have come you are “up to your neck with bombs and bullets”?

Paul Smith

June 26, 2018 at 11:11

Way to go Cyprus. Lets get directly involved in the most volatile conflict the world has ever known. Honestly, I sometimes don’t know whether to laugh or cry when reading this paper.

Evergreen

June 26, 2018 at 11:16

Very sad.

The True Cypriot

June 26, 2018 at 11:02

Its all a game – the Greeks are trying to internationalise the Cyprus dispute.

He figures that an israeli port will dissuade and threaten the TCs/Turks – all he has to do is look at Varosha.

Let the Israelis waste their cash – this will make no difference to Gaza or the Cyprus dispute, but it will draw the Greeks into the Middle East dispute.

Unless the Greeks make a deal with us, they will not live in peace – no amount of side deals the Greeks make with other will bother us.

Evergreen

June 26, 2018 at 11:17

The middle para is very true.

cyprustalk

June 26, 2018 at 11:57

The Cy problem is already nternationalise its been that way for years.

Paul Smith

June 26, 2018 at 12:04

Good morning! Its after 10am in London, you off to sign on ?

Neroli

June 26, 2018 at 12:08

😂😂

cyprustalk

June 26, 2018 at 12:00

OMG ” Unless the Greeks make a deal with us” you really live in La la land, you have nothing to to force our hand you seem to be blinded by this thought we need you, Get over it it you need us otherwise you stay in limbo as you have for 44 years,

MrH

June 26, 2018 at 10:39

That’s something the Greek Cypriots should agree to too with the rebuilding of a CENTRAL Airport (perhaps the old Nicosia airport) for arrivals and departures for both sides of the island – but NO, Anastasiades could never agree to that as that would supposedly promote the recognition of the “TRNC”, which we know can only happen via a unanimous UN vote!

Kyrenia

June 26, 2018 at 10:58

How about the removal of occupation troops too?

Andrew Brooks

June 26, 2018 at 11:07

Slowly, slowly………………mutual trust needs to be built first.

Paul Smith

June 26, 2018 at 11:13

The Greek ones or Turkish ones, or UN, or British? Or do you mean the Russians at Limaasol port or the French at Pafos airbase?

antonis/ac

June 26, 2018 at 11:29

There is only one occupier in Cyprus, namely Islamo-fascist Turkey.

Paul Smith

June 26, 2018 at 11:30

Ouch. You missed an opportunity to bash the British there.

Neroli

June 26, 2018 at 12:09

I’ve been waiting for it!

MrH

June 26, 2018 at 11:50

Under the Treaty of Alliance and Guarantee, based on the TERRORIST acts (Akritas plan especially) from 1963-1974, by the Greek EOKA B organisation – TURKEY has a legal right to be there to Protect the Turkish Cypriots as long as we WISH it and call upon them. Unlucky – live with it.

elbmw

June 26, 2018 at 20:59

Turkey has a legal right to protect the RoC. That means ALL Cypriots and not just the Turkish speakers. This action is based on the idea of expansionism that uses the local Turkish speaking population to further its needs by feeding them with racist and ethnic propaganda.

antonis/ac

June 27, 2018 at 01:01

Akritas plan was not what they brainwashed you to believe it was. The Treaties only allowed “action”, not military force, and this with the sole aim to restore the constitutional order upset by the coup; not to partition the island as you did. In fact, the Treaties prohibited partition.

cypbychoice

June 26, 2018 at 14:39

Until both G/Cs and T/Cs both agree they are Cypriots first and foremost nothing will happen. I for one hate to see all the Greek flags flying in the south as much as many T/Cs hate to see the Turkish flag flying in the north.
The Greeks care as much for G/Cs as the Turks care for T/Cs its all power games , but sadly the T/Cs are now out numbered by the incomers from Turkey they are in with a real chance of losing their identity.

ZZ

June 26, 2018 at 11:29

Forget using the old Nicosia airport. The noise pollution would be horrendous and negatively affect the quality of life for the residential areas built around it after the invasion.

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